(This is the first in a periodic series on the short term and long term impacts of the coronavirus on employment and the workplace. Below, we start with the immediate decisions facing employers today).

In the middle of last week, Twitter asked its 5000 employees to work remotely, and soon thereafter LinkedIn Square, and Lyft did the same. Microsoft, SAP, JPMorgan Chase, and hundreds of other major employers have imposed sharp restrictions on travel, domestic as well as international. Facebook, Stanford University, and Google have canceled long-planned business conferences and events.

Workplace practices are shifting on a daily basis. So too are employment patterns: Doordash, Instacart, Amazon Prime, and other delivery services report increases in demand for workers, while restaurants and entertainment venues are reducing hours and laying off workers. As this is written, United Airlines announces significant reductions to routes, and unpaid leaves…